The Fieldcats

Tiffany Schwalm

Founder and President

Beginning her market research career in 2004, Tiffany has become a trusted partner for conducting global qualitative research studies. Tiffany’s “can-do” mentality has earned her a reputation in the industry for being able to manage even the most complex projects with grace and precision.

With over a decade of experience she has developed the foresight to ward off problems before they even happen. Seasoned and fearless, Tiffany is always willing to work 110% to make sure her clients are happy!

Tiffany’s experience in the industry spans both qualitative and quantitative research, with past employers including Doyle Research, Stratalys Research & Consulting, Hall & Partners, watchLAB and FUELglobal. Throughout her tenure in the industry, Tiffany has cultivated relationships with the best in the biz; whether it’s choosing a good partner for B2B research in Bangalore or finding physicians in Philly, Tiffany knows who to use and why. Her areas of expertise include screener development, ethnographies, mixed methodology studies, multi-market and global research, and online research.

Tiffany holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Performance from The New School, in New York City. She attributes her success as a project manager to the discipline and focus learned by her training as a classical musician. Countless hours in the practice room honing her violin skills taught Tiffany how to persevere and stay calm even in the most stressful situations. In addition to occasionally breaking out her violin and playing in local ensembles, Tiffany enjoys hot yoga, baking, gardening, whisky and wine, dining at amazing establishments, traveling (both to cities and geographically spectacular destinations), promoting and attending classical music performances, and spending time with her awesome family.

GURU SKILL: OUR CONCERTMASTER

Whether you have been working with Tiffany for 15 years or you’re a fresh FieldCat loyalist, you are likely to hear Tiffany make a musical analogy, comparing the precise logistical work done by FieldCats to that of a seasoned professional orchestra. The smart, savvy FieldCats team is the ultimate pit orchestra – we prepare methodically for each study and act as a reliable base for our clients, so that both our clients and the research can take center stage. Tiffany is driven by making the complex feel simple and excels at in-the-moment problem solving. The show must go on! Utilizing both her experience and love of efficiency, Tiffany recognizes the ‘big picture’ without overlooking the smallest of details.

John Schwalm

Vice President of Operations

Starting in 2015 John made the leap from the small world of fine arts to the exciting labyrinth of market research. While the two worlds may seem very far apart, his skills as a classically trained musician have served him well.

Serving in a professional orchestra for over a decade honed his eye for detail as well as developed his intuition of when to step in, step up, or just listen. This ability to identify, adapt, and overcome challenges makes him the resident Glue Guy.

Never afraid to roll up his sleeves and take on the most difficult task, John takes great pride in keeping the operations of Fieldcats running as smooth as a well-oiled trombone slide. As an avid reader, adopter of the latest and greatest technology trends, and history/sociology buff, he is able to keep current on the pulse of current research practices. Ever changing passions keeps his perspective objective and mind fresh to help Fieldcats maintain its excellence and always on the prowl for new opportunities.

John holds a Bachelor’s of Music from The University of Texas and a Master’s of Music from The Julliard School. Upon graduating college John served as the Bass Trombonist for the Lyric Opera of Chicago for 13 years. After years in the snowy Windy City, he moved back to sunny taco filled Austin with his wife, son, and two dogs. He loves exploring new places to eat tacos and BBQ, taking in the natural beauty of Central Texas, catching a concert or two, fishing, exercising and building loudspeakers.

Jarene Amstrong

Senior Field Director

After receiving her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and statistics from the University of Michigan, Jarene began her market research career in 2006. She spent 15 years at Escalent, starting as an Analyst and Project Manager. She then worked her way up to Director of Project Management, before joining Fieldcats in 2022.

Known for being a work horse and having a calming presence during chaotic projects, Jarene has developed a trusted following of clients and partners alike … all touting Jarene’s reliability and ability to consistently deliver outstanding work. She never backs down from a challenge and goes above and beyond for her team! No matter the project, complexity, client, or respondent type, Jarene has the determination, organization, composure, and diligence to make anything possible.

Specializing in all things pharma, Jarene is also extremely well versed in compliance processes and procedures, and utilizes this knowledge to ensure that her projects adhere to all AE, BHBIA, GDPR, etc. requirements

GURU SKILL: HEALTHCARE HERO

We all know that pharma and complexity go hand in hand. If you have both, Jarene is the teammate you’ll want in your corner! She fearlessly tackles the most demanding projects and logistics, and she gets a thrill out of it too! During her rewarding tenure in the industry, she has gained a reputation as someone who helps everyone feel at ease amongst the intricacies of global multi-phase pharma studies. Midstream spec, timeline, and screening changes are nothing new for this FieldCat!

Kristin Burgess

Senior Field Director

Kristin is an energetic leader and has a proven track record layered with passion, inherent curiosity, and ability to manage both domestic and international projects consistently.

With 14+ years of practical experience as a market research field director, Kristin has successfully executed hundreds of projects involving CPG, insurance, entertainment, financial and technology-based companies just to name a few. Her client work has spanned a wide variety of methodologies including ethnographies, IHUTs, focus groups, 2Q (in person or online quant/qual work), and demand space exploration. Kristin’s sweet spot is consumer packaged goods and has been involved on projects that span a variety of methodologies for recruiting everyone from moms to baristas and bartenders to c-suite professionals. Some examples of Kristin’s work are projects for rebranding and positioning for juice, dairy innovation, and white space project on snacks and breakfast foods as well as exploratory work on theme and amusement parks on a global scale. She has mastered her skill set for full service offsite project management to tailor each project by utilizing unconventional workspaces for sessions among any sized group and methodology.

Kristin is a client favorite, consistently demonstrating enthusiasm to get to know her clients as human beings. Her general up-beat personality and collaborative spirit make her one of those people that clients appreciate and just like working with.

She has a Bachelors from the University of Kansas and a Masters degree from Baker University. Kristin’s favorite activities are social undistancing with family and friends, travel, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, enjoying good wine and most of all being a mom to the two most perfect pups: Benny and Lilly.

GURU SKILL: CREATIVE SPACE CURATOR

Besides being a client favorite, Kristin has mastered planning for the unexpected. With a flair for full-service offsite project management, she tailors each project to its specific needs and requirements. By utilizing a carefully crafted network of unique workspaces and sourcing local services, these are just a few of the elements that go into executing unconventional sessions among any sized groups and methodology. A natural event planner at heart, the goal is always to make everyone feel relaxed and at home for more robust results from all who participate.

Marissa (Silvi) Sweetland

Field Director

Marissa began her market research career in 2016 on the healthcare research agency side of the field, having contributed her expertise to several organizations, including BluePrint Research Group, Trinity Life Sciences, and most recently, Basis Health.

Over the years, Marissa has worn many hats and proudly managed 350+ qualitative research studies, each covering unique therapeutic areas, markets, and project scopes. She takes pride in being a “Big Picture Thinker,” possessing a unique ability to visualize how all the intricate components of a project must align seamlessly to ensure its success.

Marissa likes to describe herself as a “flight director” of research field logistics. Just as a flight director orchestrates the intricate details of a mission, she expertly navigates your research endeavors and keeps everything organized. Whether you’re exploring new markets, evaluating therapeutic opportunities, or seeking insights to drive strategic decisions, Marissa is ready to guide your project to success!

Specializing in pharma, Marissa stays up to date on the latest compliance standards and procedures and adheres to all required adverse event reporting, BHBIA, GDPR, and local guidelines.

Marissa earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Bucknell University, with minors in anthropology and German. This multidisciplinary background has equipped her with a holistic perspective that enriches her approach to healthcare and pharmaceutical market research. She obtained her Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2020, further enhancing her ability to lead and execute research projects with precision and efficiency.

Marissa grew up by the beach in New Jersey and now lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with her partner and two cats, Goose & Rooster. She enjoys all things Philly sports and in her free times loves hand embroidery.

GURU SKILL: FLIGHT DIRECTOR

Marissa likes to describe herself as a “flight director” of research field logistics. Just as a flight director orchestrates the intricate details of a mission, she expertly navigates your research endeavors and keeps everything organized. Whether you’re exploring new markets, evaluating therapeutic opportunities, or seeking insights to drive strategic decisions, Marissa is ready to guide your project to success!

Nicole Williams

Field Director

Nicole is a legacy in the Market Research industry – her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and mother ran successful recruitment agencies for many years. Having began as a recruiter herself at just 14 years old, Nicole has successfully climbed the market research ladder giving her a unique understanding of all facets of the industry ranging from recruiting, management, screener writing, fielding, and delivering the desired panels for qualitative and quantitative research in both pharma and consumer studies. After almost 20 years of experience, she knows what it takes to provide outstanding services to clients. FieldCats, Inc. is a full-service field management company specializing in global qualitative market research.

Nicole holds her bachelor’s degree from Towson University in Maryland in English with a concentration in technical writing, allowing her to pay close attention to detail and notice the small things that can become the big things. Nicole is a very family-oriented and caring person, residing in Harford County, Maryland with her husband and three boys. When she is not working, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, building relationships within her community by attending and supporting local events and businesses, cooking, and reading.

GURU SKILL: PHARMA PHENOM

We imagine that if the CDC could have one person on speed dial…it would be our very own FieldCat, Nicole! Forget diamonds; Nicole’s growing list of Adverse Event certifications makes her a pharmaceutical client’s best friend. With a keen eye for details, Nicole dives into the most challenging projects with ease, whether it is finding patients with wet coughs and overactive bladders or HCPs treating super rare diseases. If her extensive experience with patients and HCPs was not enough, she will be sure to impress you with her understanding of finding the experts on a global scale (Payers, KOLs, etc.). Nicole’s technical writing degree gives her a leg up on all the communication involved in conducting global pharma work!

Ilgin Basar

Field Manager

Fascinated by human nature and cultural differences, Ilgin started her career as a qualitative market researcher in Turkey. She has a vast experience in the industry, managing projects for consumer goods, automotive, financial services, retail, technology, travel, pet care, and pharmaceutical/healthcare clients.

After working as a moderator and an analyst in numerous qualitative research projects in Turkey, she moved to the U.S., and met with the world of quantitative research. She managed various quantitative research projects including phone surveys with U.S. Hispanics and online surveys with general population for tracking, segmentation, advertising effectiveness, brand health, category usage and attitudes, and consumer satisfaction studies.

Intrigued by the use of new emerging technologies in qualitative research, Ilgin came full circle, and she is back where she started, qualitative research. She joined FieldCats in 2021, bringing her experience in project management, screener development, and helping clients engage better with their consumers.

Ilgin holds a bachelor’s degree with a double major in psychology and sociology from Bogazici University in Istanbul, Turkey, and attended the MBA program in University of Miami. She is a healthy foodie, an avid beach goer, and a world traveler. She has been to Europe, Canada, Argentina, and all the states in the U.S. — except Alaska. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL and loves spending time with family and friends, hiking, biking, doing yoga, and making sure her two fluffy cats are happy.

GURU SKILL: MASTER JUGGLER

With extensive experience in leading a wide variety of projects, Ilgin welcomes the complex and unpredictable world of market research. Over the years she has mastered the art of juggling several tasks, even as new ones are suddenly tossed into the mix! For her, every project is a new adventure and opportunity for learning. She is exceedingly detailed and schedule-oriented and always adapts well to change with a positive and productive attitude. Every day, Ilgin loves putting her exceptional organizational skills at the service of the FieldCats team as she successfully coordinates complex studies.

Cameron Cowles

Field Manager

A Chicagoland native, Cameron grew up in the Northwest suburbs of Chicago but has lived in downtown Chicago for the past 11 years. He studied bio-chemistry at UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) but has always had a passion for the arts and music, and soon found himself pursuing that passion.

His experience in project management began when he was hired to assist at a Gold Coast art gallery and a frame shop, where he gained experience managing projects, maintaining high-end client expectations, and honing an attention to detail. His career in market research began when working at the esteemed Energy Annex, where he learned the basics of market research. After spending a bit of time in the market research industry, Cameron felt drawn to the diversity of the field. Cameron’s move to Fieldcats was a natural progression, allowing Cameron to mix his project management and research facility experiences in a new role.

Outside of work Cameron enjoys playing and recording music in multiple bands, as well as camping, reading, and petting his cat Grady.

GURU SKILL: SENSIBLE ARTIST

Cameron’s distinguished background as a studio musician, songwriter, and performer shows that he can adapt to different situations, is always prepared for the unexpected, and can improvise whenever things don’t go according to plan. He truly knows what it means to work well with a team and solve problems swiftly. Combined with his previous 10-year experience in visual arts, Cameron has come to understand the importance of fine details, how to take a step back to see the big picture, and how to find the right balance of both. These invaluable skills have enabled him to always achieve success in any project that comes his way.

Sean Hart

Field Manager

Sean lives and breathes social science. He studied psychology at the University of Texas and spent his time there assisting with research in labs ranging from social psychology to neuroscience and completing his own research study on self-esteem and motivation. Away from the classroom, Sean worked in the family academic coaching business, where he ran group study sessions and helped students one-on-one with academic planning. Upon graduating, Sean took his research skills to corporate America, assisting researchers in the tech space with recruitment and logistics for user experience studies on digital advertising products. He joined Fieldcats in 2024, excited to bring his research experience and background to market research!

With a background in research, Sean understands the importance of a high level of precision and detail that comes with gathering market insights. His time working in product development also gives him an understanding of the importance of product excellence and its effect on the success of a business.

GURU SKILL: RESEARCH RENEGADE

Sean has a true passion for human discovery and an eagerness to learn new things. With a tool belt of research methods spanning brain imaging, surveys, in-person experimental research, and user experience studies, Sean is your one-stop solution for your biggest market research challenges. Whether you are exploring a new pharmaceutical product or seeking insights in a new untapped market, Sean will ensure your project is a success!

Jess Koneval

Field Director

Nicole is a legacy in the Market Research industry – her grandmother, aunts, uncles, and mother ran successful recruitment agencies for many years. Having began as a recruiter herself at just 14 years old, Nicole has successfully climbed the market research ladder giving her a unique understanding of all facets of the industry ranging from recruiting, management, screener writing, fielding, and delivering the desired panels for qualitative and quantitative research in both pharma and consumer studies. After almost 20 years of experience, she knows what it takes to provide outstanding services to clients. FieldCats, Inc. is a full-service field management company specializing in global qualitative market research.

Nicole holds her bachelor’s degree from Towson University in Maryland in English with a concentration in technical writing, allowing her to pay close attention to detail and notice the small things that can become the big things. Nicole is a very family-oriented and caring person, residing in Harford County, Maryland with her husband and three boys. When she is not working, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family, building relationships within her community by attending and supporting local events and businesses, cooking, and reading.

GURU SKILL: MASTER OF HATS

Jess is known for their ability to manage many tasks and responsibilities at a time, making them our very own master of hats! With a hat to wear for every possible client need, nothing gets past them! A gifted musician for 16 years, with a minor in music, Jess has learned to listen closely and play by ear, skills that come in handy as Jess consistently gives extra special attention to client needs. Jess has proven that they can take on any new task or challenge and knock it out of the park, all while managing a multitude more.

Tierney Proffit

Field Manager

A native Texan, Tierney has always had a knack for recognizing cultural and behavioral patterns, leading her to earn a bachelor’s in psychology and a master’s in applied anthropology, both from Texas State University. Through her work in nonprofits and academia, she developed, managed, and conducted many research projects across a variety of topics, including her thesis in medical anthropology. She joined FieldCats in 2023, happily bringing her skills and experience to market research!

Her background in qualitative, quantitative, and experimental research allows her to deeply understand project goals and client perspectives. While working for the Apple Maps research team, Tierney discovered her affinity for organizing data and found the logistics aspect of research to be most rewarding. She takes great pride in streamlining and documenting processes to provide efficiency and ensure everyone involved is consistently updated. She enjoys any opportunity to solve challenges and the ability to be part of multiple teams and studies, making her role at FieldCats a perfect fit.

Tierney currently lives in Austin, TX with her amazingly supportive partner and her adopted neighborhood cat Dirt. In her free-time, she loves up-cycling old clothes, tending to the community garden, and adding color to the world through her artistic endeavors.

GURU SKILL: PROACTIVE PLANNER

Tierney proudly specializes in being efficient and proactive. Her ability to recognize and understand patterns allows her to see ahead and answer questions before they’ve even been asked. Her proactive mindset also guarantees that potential issues are handled before becoming actual issues that could hinder the quality or success of research. From scripts for hosting interviews to in-depth checklists, Tierney always has everything proactively planned, ensuring that nothing is ever overlooked!

Felisa Ruiz

Field Manager

A go-getter at heart, and no stranger to hard work, Felisa fully understands what it takes to succeed in market research. Originally from small-town Arkansas, Felisa graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, where she studied sociology. Upon graduation, she headed to Austin, Texas to pursue her master’s degree in public health, leading to her professional experience in project management and qualitative research.

Felisa brings forth her extensive knowledge of medical terminology and the public health field to adhere to pharmaceutical studies, as well as her experience with qualitative focus groups and data management to coordinate studies across all industries. Her background in sociology also comes into play as she continually seeks to understand social patterns and other key elements of human behavior, which are unquestionably fundamental to market research!

GURU SKILL: RESOURCE WIZ

From helping run her family’s restaurant to leading an NIH-funded research project, Felisa brings a diverse toolkit to her role as field manager. With a positive attitude, Felisa efficiently takes on challenges that come her way through adaptability and resourcefulness!

Ben Taylor

Field Manager

Ben began his market research career in 2022 as a Market Research Assistant at Illuminas, a full-service research agency based out of Austin, Texas. After being promoted to Market Research Associate, Ben became responsible for the fieldwork across all of the company’s projects. Ben joined FieldCats in 2024 eager to carry his experience into new industries.

His background in tech research hardware and software spans across B2B and B2C audiences both domestically and globally. Ben has conducted a wide range of research projects across qualitative and quantitative methodologies including: global in-person and virtual focus groups, MaxDiff, global brand tracking, persona research, and many more. Providing research and deliverables that clients can use to confidently make decisions is what drives Ben. He often says that his favorite part of research is when you see “the lightbulb turns on” for a client after receiving their data. This drive to advance data-driven decision-making, and his client-centered approach guarantee the quality of any project he manages.

Ben graduated from the University of Kentucky with his bachelor’s degree in political science but spent most of his career marketing for small businesses before making the transition to research. He lives in Lexington, Kentucky with his beautiful wife Kate and his dogs Mowgli and Baloo. He is a competitive swimmer in his free time and a volunteer in several organizations within his community.

GURU SKILL: THE DOUBLE AGENT

Ben spent years “undercover” in the marketing industry seeking out data and resources to help drive his decisions as the lead marketer for several small businesses. This time spent immersing himself in the daily decisions that marketers face, along with his understanding of the stakes involved in being a marketer, makes him an excellent partner and researcher. He knows how quality data can make a marketer’s life so much easier and carries that knowledge into each of his research studies.

Allen Winczewski

Executive Assistant

Allen began his Market Research career in 2013 as a concierge at the well-loved Energy Annex in Chicago. During his 7-year tenure at Energy Annex he absorbed the nuances of qualitative research and learned how to anticipate the needs of his demanding clients. When joining FieldCats in 2021, Allen repurposed his expert in-person hosting skills virtually, hosting global interviews, and also utilized his knowledge of the industry to launch his career in project management. He understands the importance of exercising dependability, problem solving, and attention to detail to ensure customer loyalty and satisfaction. Allen has exceeded client expectations from his first steps into market research and continues to do everything necessary to make sure his fabulous reputation stays intact.

Allen graduated summa cum laude from DePaul University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, which he feels exhibits his dedication to thinking deeply about the world around him. In his free time he plays drums, guitar, and sings in numerous Chicago-area ensembles; Allen is seen by his musician colleagues as a reliable player who can easily adapt to a wide variety of styles and personalities. In addition to his musical talents, Allen has also had the privilege to travel across the globe. He enjoys immersing himself into and learning about other cultures and, so far, has traveled to 15 countries spanning across five continents.

GURU SKILL: RHYTHMIC ROCKSTAR

If anyone could have groupies in Market Research, it would be our Allen! His 18 years of experience as a drummer show that he is a master of timekeeping, multitasking, and being a team player. These attributes, along with the critical thinking and communication skills he honed while earning a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, will surely prove useful as he continues growing in his role as Executive Assistant. Allen certainly has what it takes to ensure that he will be the fan favorite on every project.